Waiters out at least a week; surgery possible

INDEPENDENCE -- The news was not good regarding the injured left knee of Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters.

The team announced late Tuesday afternoon that the rookie will miss at least a week and probably longer due to a small, loose cartilage fragment that might require arthroscopic surgery.

Waiters, who is averaging 14.7 points and 3.0 assists, played only in the first quarter Monday against Indiana because soreness in the knee flared up.

The 21-year-old underwent an MRI Tuesday at Cleveland Sports Health and was examined by team physician Dr. Richard Parker, who diagnosed the loose cartilage fragment.

Waiters will undergo a period of rest, treatment and additional observation and examination. After a week, the Cavs will determine the next steps in his rehabilitation, which could include arthroscopic surgery that would almost certainly end his season.

Cleveland coach Byron Scott had not received an update on Waiters’ condition when he spoke with the media Tuesday, but said he had to “start thinking worst-case scenario” in order to be prepared.

Scott will start Wayne Ellington at shooting guard Wednesday when LeBron James and the Miami Heat come to Quicken Loans Arena, with Shaun Livingston starting at point guard for the injured Kyrie Irving (shoulder).

With struggling veteran Daniel Gibson the only other true guard on the roster -- swingmen Alonzo Gee and C.J. Miles can play the off guard spot in a pinch -- Scott said the Cavs would likely sign another player soon.

Starting center Anderson Varejao is already out for the season with a quadriceps injury and due to the blood thinners he’s taking as a result of a blood clot in his lung, but the Cavs won’t have to cut anyone because they have a roster spot open.

Gibson has struggled mightily whenever he’s had to play prolonged minutes at the point, so the Cavs will likely sign a point guard out of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract.

Cleveland can offer that player a second 10-day deal, but then must decide whether to release him or sign him for the rest of the season, which ends April 17.